This view of the Genesee River middle falls in Letchworth Park, shows the Genesee Valley Canal clinging to the steep wall of the gorge in the 1860s. Click on the image for more information from Letchworthparkhistory.com.
This week’s hike will follow trail #7 in Letchworth Park. Trail #7 is the portion of the Genesee Valley Greenway through the park. It is also the section of the Greenway with the most impressive relics of the Genesee Valley Canal. This will be an out-and-back hike with a slightly different return route at the end.
Trail #7 starts at Oakland Rd about a mile outside of Nunda. Here we will walk next to the original locks that allowed boats to climb the hill to the River. The canal operated in this section between 1862 and 1878 and the right of way was sold to the Genesee valley Canal Railroad Company which built a railroad along much of the canal towpath. As we walk next to the canal lock, the railroad took another route slightly north. In about a half mile, the canal path rejoins the rail path up to Short Track Road. On the return walk we’ll take the Greenway path away from the canal route; we’ll walk as far as Oakland Road and then turn right back to the parking lot.
The Meeting Place: We’ll all meet at the Oakland Road parking area in Nunda (42.578516,-77.971108) at 1:45pm for a scheduled start at 2:00pm.
The Naturalists will start from the Oakland Rd parking area, following the canal to the junction with the railbed. It is just over a mile to Short Tract Road, where the Naturalists will turn around and hike back to the cars, using the railbed route all of the way, for a two mile hike.
The Tourists will follow the same route to Short Tract Rd. There is a slight jog to the right to follow a detour along Williams Rd. When the road turns left, continue straight into the woods on the Genesee Valley Greenway. The next road is River Rd, also known as Trail #8, where the Tourists will turn left and follow the road south to their cars on NY 436..This hike will be about 3 miles total.
The Climbers will follow the Tourist route to River Rd, where it will continue on the Letchworth Branch of the FLT until 3:00pm when we will turn around and walk back the way we came. On the return walk we’ll keep to the Greenway all the way rather than turn along the canal route. We’ll walk to Oakland Road where we’ll turn right and walk the road back to the cars.
In recognition of the rising COVID-19 pandemic there won’t be a social on this hike. It will likely be cold and getting dark by the time we get back to the cars, and indoor locations are not advised as yet.
From Springwater: Follow NY-15 South to Wayland, then turn right on to Route 63 to Dansville. In Dansville, turn left on Ossian Street (Route 436). Follow Route 436 west through Nunda to Oakland Road. Turn right on Oakland Road and the parking area will be on the left. Note that Oakland Road is easy drive past – it’s a small two lane road that goes off to the right 1.2 miles west of the traffic lights in Nunda. The street sign is set back from the 436. There is a trailhead shelter clearly visible on Oakland Road from the junction with Rt. 436.
From Naples: Take Route 21 to Wayland, then continue west on Route 63 to Dansville. In Dansville, turn left on Ossian Street (Route 436). Follow Route 436 west through Nunda to Oakland Road. Turn right on Oakland Road and the parking area will be on the left. Note that Oakland Road is easy drive past – it’s a small two lane road that goes off to the right 1.2 miles west of the traffic lights in Nunda. The street sign is set back from the 436. There is a trailhead shelter clearly visible on Oakland Road from the junction with Rt. 436.
There are two small parking areas at the trailhead. Please park carefully – I don’t think that roadside parking will work because Oakland Road is narrow and curvy.